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Understanding Digital Nomads – And What They Can Do For Your Team

Advancements in technology drive constant change, and they do it fast. This trend leaves more and more leeway for work flexibility.

People's lifestyle, goals, and outlook are no longer the same. The center of the work/life balance shifts towards more independence. Job arrangements demand less physical presence and accommodate some degree of freedom. Remote work is the new black.

Who are digital nomads

All digital nomads need is an Internet connection and an open-minded boss. A will and discipline to stay productive without someone hanging over their shoulders. For many, this lifestyle embodies somewhat of a dream. It removes various restrictions. Remote employees are not tied down to a particular physical space or set working hours.

For digital nomads, traveling is a priority. Their flexible schedule accommodates these life goals. Not only that, but it also allows them to build a diverse portfolio of projects in the process. The wide-spread information surrounding destinations propels people's adventurous spirit. Exotic locations offer much lower living costs.

The surge in popularity of the digital nomad lifestyle seems far from over. More and more managers implement telecommuting options. More and more people look for remote work. It is crucial for companies to take into account the changing work climate and learn how to adapt. Attracting digital nomads should be on companies' radar. Channeling their productivity can enrich an organization's operational model and image. Businesses can benefit a great deal from working with digital nomads.

Digital nomads may not be some companies' priority. That doesn't mean remote work and a more work flexible won't lure their current employees away, though. Leaders need to consider adopting changes to prevent that from happening.

Flexibility

Work flexibility is the cornerstone of the digital nomad lifestyle. Remote work isn’t limited to physical presence but refers to the working hours as well. Setting a rigorous schedule for a digital nomad would be somewhat of a paradox. Not to mention it would be next to impossible due to time differences.

Companies' leaders might see these as daunting tasks, but they don't have to be. One solution: measure digital nomads’ performance by their input rather than spent time! Doing this makes digital nomads’ work much more transparent and easier to assess. Consider paying them on a per project basis, which adds an extra incentive. Unfinished work results in missing a payday. This way, remote work flexibility will be balanced.

Making sure digital nomads are on the right track is still important. Setting clear and regular milestones is an efficient way to do that. Furthermore, assigning them one massive project at a time makes it hard to envision the finish line. Digital nomads would hence feel their financial reward is too far away.

Setting checkpoints, even if they’re not financial ones, will make the end goal feel closer.

Taking into account time differences is important. Figuring out the best way to bring people together is where you can shine as a leader. Let's say you make it a point to keep track of where your digital nomad employees are traveling. Take the time to find and send them exciting tips and reads about their locations. This kind of interaction invokes loyalty.

Furthermore, many digital nomads target exotic locations with lower living costs. Remote employment can thus prove to be very cost-efficient.

Acquiring better talent at lower prices is only one way it saves you money. An overlooked aspect is the lower real estate needs and environmental footprint.

Those are not only matters of moral outlook. They can influence your brand identity and the way clients perceive you. Socially aware organizations are becoming the new black. Remote work can be almost like free advertising.

Besides, implementing digital nomads into your culture means enriching it a great deal. Remote employees meet all kinds of people and soak different cultures and markets. There is a surge in popularity of coworking and living spaces for traveling workers. Digital nomads encounter other people with from various industries and strides of life. These authentic life experiences can prove invaluable to your company. They can drive genuine insights and diversify your strategies.

Making the shift

Figuring out how many of your employees can be remote is a process. Deciding what level of work flexibility you would be comfortable granting them as a leader requires experimenting.

You need to pinpoint the happy medium between remote work and physical presence. You can start by letting some of your team members work from home a couple of days a week. Then, you can hire a remote employee and turn him/her into a full-on addition to your team. You need to analyze the nature of those changes and adjust your strategy as you go.

Understanding digital nomads and identifying the best remote talent is our domain. Get in touch with DistantJob, and we'll take you step-by-step through the hiring of your first remote worker.

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